Wenger: We Make the Players Here

Arsene Wenger sounded somewhat weary when he told the press this weekend that Arsenal has become something of a finishing school for Europe's elite. Arsene's third team had been built on the premise of bringing a young crop of players through together in order to build unity- a necessity whilst the shackles of the stadium debt impinged on the club's kitty for a few years.

But with Alex Song and Robin van Persie now having moved on, Abou Diaby is really the only remaining relic of that young side. 'We make the players here," said Wenger. "All that have left were made here or made a name here or came here very young. FÓbregas, Clichy, Adebayor, Henry, Nasri, all of them.

'Song came at 17. I believe part of our club is to influence people`s lives in a positive way. You would prefer to influence it in a positive way for yourself but it does not always happen.

'That is what we face today. I don`t think it is linked at all with winning something or not."

Meanwhile Santi Cazorla has hinted at his expectation that Alex Song will be replaced, with Nuri Sahin expected to complete a loan deal from Real Madrid today, "Song has gone as well and there are still 10 days left in the market. Obviously it`s important to replace players like that because they were so important for the team."

Wenger hinted there was more behind the decision to sell Alex Song than the public has seen, "There are different reasons, I don`t want to come out with that now, but it happened. Every case is individual and maybe one day I will explain everything.

"We are left with that decision and now we have to face it and deal with it in the correct way.

"Hopefully we can. Possibly we will bring in a player, if not we have plenty of midfielders.

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It was a nice theory on paper, create a brotherhood amongst younger players that can player together for over a decade forming a frenidship and a willing to battle for each other. Unfortunately Arsene isn't the only influence on the lives of these players. But Wenger is now bringing in some excellent and experienced players who hopefully will win something together, that will create a good bond too.

Wenger's idea/theory was a noble one which we mostly hoped would work out; he didn't reckon with the coming of rich billionaire owners who 'buy' all the available trophies and suddenly, rendering hard working clubs (as ours) potless. This gave an excuse for the lure of money ("leaving to win trophies"), Cesc's and perhaps, Henry's being the only exceptions. I feel the change in approach, of getting some experience, will bode well for the younger players in the ranks. We need to get that monkey off our backs and there will be renewed expectation coarsing through the whole club.

I think the fans were more convinced about this 'theory' than the players. I, for one, did believe that and I was really looking forward to a closely knit team being successful for a few years. In the end, it was too idealistic and Wenger gave up on this last year itself, with the departures of Cesc & Nasri.

True LD, but I think the time has now come for Wenger to take a firm stand, once Song has gone. We cannot afford to lose two 1st teamers every summer. I think we can cope with one. There needs to be one stable summer, just one, and I think we can really run the Manchester clubs close for the title (I don't see Arsenal beating the 3 richer clubs which are on massive wages).

Arsene leaves so many things unsaid, it will be interesting to see his memoirs of the facts behind most of his transfer dealings in the last 7 years or so. I'd also like to know (once and for all) if the board was actually not ambitious and never put him under pressure to win something.

It is a paradox of sorts, LD, but I am starting to feel the place to start is winning trophies. That will cut out the laboured "need to win trophies" reason for wanting out, put up by our players; it is easier to situate the motive behind those who choose to leave. In a couple of years, the club should be in a much stronger financial position to pay better wages, from re-negotiated commercial deals and renewed interest from fans, prize monies, etc. with the crop of players Wenger is putting together, I don't think we will be having a problem with the 'mentality' of the team. It can't be a coincidence Wenger has been buying proven winners and nationals of certain parts of Europe. In the past, we have been let down by the lack of fight in our team than technical giftings of our players. If that can be corrected....

Yes, his memoirs will be very interesting. I also thought he looked weary and resigned when he made these comments, as though being let down by van Persie and Song has really got to him. I see lots of fans and pundits having a go at AFC and Wenger for selling these players, but what can they be expected to do when it's the players themselves that wish to leave.

LD......we stopped winning trophys around the time that Russian gangster started throwing around his rubles. I don't think it was a coincidence, prior to that wenger was battling with utd who have always thrown away money like its going out of fashion, on some occasions even beating them to the big trophys. If it wasn't for these steroid injected clubs Im sure that team would have achieved a lot more. Wengers master plan was a football purists fantasy which in theory does work. Look at the Ajax of the 90's.....eventually even that team got pulled apart by the inflated salarys of serie A. I for one am a supporter of wengers football philosophy on and off the field, I just feel outside of arsenal and maybe to some degree inside arsenal, he will never be truly recognised for his achievements and philosophy, because in this day and age you are only a great manager if you spend 50 million pounds on a player. If you scout europe for young talent to nurture and build a great team, your just a tight fisted blinkered old man.....as I'm sure Alan Hanson and co no doubt think he is. We will never have a manager who will influence this club like wenger has in my lifetime......I will not lie at some points last season I had a seed of doubt, but then I asked myself "but who else?". A work colleague of mine (man u supporter) said the other day said "I think wenger should get the sack after the rvp debacle" I then asked him the question....." ok, let's say we sack him, then who do you recommend to replace him?" he looked at me with a blank gormless expression. The football world is a very fickle one.

You know hat though shewore I'm still not sure he ever will, the bloke is just too much of a gent to dish the dirt like that and would still feel that if the memoirs had a chance of damaging the club in some way then best left unsaid, would be a bloody cracking read though.

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